The Local EE Coordinator for Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and Stara Zagora Veronika Kertikova took part on 18.11.2023 in the 10th anniversary Off the Beaten Track educational forum – Unlock the Knowledge organized by the Youth Center Plovdiv, which brought together teachers, pedagogical advisors, school psychologists, representatives of educational institutions and organizations working with and for young people from the city of Plovdiv and the region.
A central place was taken by the presentation of Young (re)act 2 new educational program developed in partnership with colleagues from the National Network of Youth Centers, the Applied Research and Communications Foundation and Norsensus Mediaforum. Through experiential learning, participants experienced the principles and methods of non-formal education, distinguished between the two worlds of “formal” and “informal”, found the connecting threads and commented on the relevance and importance of non-formal learning topics. The method of design thinking as a tool in working with vulnerable groups and communities was also presented. Educators stepped into the shoes of different institutions, communities and young people to advocate to others their ideas for organizing educational activities in Roma neighborhoods and schools. The Trust for Social Achievement together with its strategic partner Lidl Bulgaria as guest speakers introduced the topic of the role of the teacher in the process of career guidance of young people. They shared their perspectives and experiences and exchanged ideas and opportunities for students in their career path. Concrete tools to help the teacher were also shown.
Once again the bridge between the formal and the informal was solidly built and proved its importance in the development of young people!
The Educational Forum was implemented under the Plovdiv Youth Centre – a powerful factor for local development project under the Local Development Programme, poverty reduction and improved inclusion of vulnerable groups“, funded by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021.
